Float sampler for liquids



Feb. 18, 1964 H. R. BOTT 3, ,3

FLOAT SAMPLER FOR LIQUIDS Filed April 12, 1962 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,121,334 Patented Feb. 18, 1964 3,121,334 FLOAT SAMPLE-R FOR LIQUIDS Harold Ray Butt, 4160 Bayer: Road, Lake Charles, La. Filed Apr. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 136,942 6 Claims. (Cl. 73421) This invention relates to a sampler, and more particularly to a device for use in hydrocarbon storage tanks.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a sampler of this character which will provide a quick, economical, safe, and accurate means of taking a sample from the top, bottom, or -a composite from various levels of any liquid material, but particularly hydrocarbons stored in a rigid or floating top tank.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that it is necessary to sample hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, diesel oil, kerosene, or the like, after such material has been blended and pumped in the storage tanks. Heretofore, such sampling has usually been done through a hatch on the tank roof. The danger of falling off a tank While sampling its contents under such condition is material, as well as the danger to the catcher who may under certain circumstances have to enter the cavity created in a floating top tank when the tank contains less than capacity. There is always the possibility of being overcome by vapors in such case. Additionally, in sampling by previous known methods the catcher has almost invariably been accompanied by another man for safety reasons.

A very important object of this invention is, therefore, the provision of a device which will allow samples to be drawn more quickly and expeditiously at ground level, with a saving in man hours due to the fact that a second man is never necessary, and with materially increased safety by the reduction in the possibility of a mans falling from the roof of the tank, or being overcome by vapors in the cavity of a partially filled floating top tank being reduced to zero.

A further object of the invent-ion is to provide a sampler of this character wherein accuracy is assured since the sampler has direct control of a float comprising an element of the instant invention at any desired level, whereby the float may be stopped at any level within the tank and a sample collected therefrom.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a sampler of this character which may be readily installed in any existing tank, which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangement of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one form of sampler embodying the instant inventive concept installed in a tank, the latter being shown in section.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 f FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at 1t? a tank for the storage of hydrocarbons or the like, provided with a base 11 and, in this illustrative embodiment, a fixed top '12.. A pair of spaced parallel guide wires 13 are secured as at 14 to the roof 12, and as at 15 to the base 11 of the tank and extend the full height thereof.

A float 1 6 of any desired conventional construction carries a pair of cars :17 which surround the guide cables 13, ensuring straight 'line vertical travel of the float, the float 16 comprising a bubble of polyethylene plastic, or alternatively, a mass of styrene foam encased in some high quality hydrocarbon-resistant plastic such as Teflon or the like. An opening is provided in a gasket or washer 17 at the top of the float and supports a length 13 of flexible tubing 19 intcriorly of the float and open at its top. A washer or locking collar 20 is provided at the bottom of the float and is apertured for the reception of flexible tubing 19. Tubing 19 is preferably comprised of Teflon or a similar high quality hydrocarbon-resistant material and preferably has an inside diameter of approximately of an inch, although a larger or smaller diameter may be employed when desired, as for example, the large diameter may be essential in tanks, storing materials of a relatively high viscosity. Guide cables 13 may be of steel, and coated with Teflon to prevent corrosion. The double cable prevents the fouling of the tubing 19 during pumping or mixing operations.

At its lower extremity tubing 19 is wound on a winch or reel 25, which has a hollow central tubular axle 26, through which extends the end 19a of flexible tubing 19, the latter being secured therein by means of gaskets or washers 27, as best shown in FIGURE 3.

A tubular member 28 is supported on the side wall of tank 10 by means of brace members. 2-9, and carries an axle 30 which is secured as by means of welding or the like to a fitting 31 comprising the hub of the reel 25. At its other end reel 25 carries an internally extending hearing 32 through which the tube or pipe 26 extends, the pipe then extending downwardly as at 26a and transversely as at 2611 through a suitable seal 33, comprised of Teflon or similar material and taking the form of packing and washers. The outer extremity 26d of the pipe is provided with a tap 34, provided with an operating handle 35, so that a sample may be drawn from the top of float 16 through the tubing 19 and pipe 26 into any desired receptacle 36 for analysis or the like.

Reel 25 and its associated components such as the supports 29 and tube 28 are made of highly corrosive-resistant metal, or else coated with Teflon or other hydrocarbon-resistant plastic material.

Axle St is provided at its extremity with one unit 37 of a magnetic coupler, and comprises a permanent alnico magnet. A complementary magnet 38 is carried externally of the tank on a shaft 39 which is rotatable by means of a crank handle 40, the axle 39 being supported in a tube 41 carried by braces 42 on the exterior of the tank. The relationship of the magnetic components 37 and 33 is such that rotation of the component 38 by crank 40 correspondingly rotates the magnet 37 which in turn through axle 30 rotates the reel 25. The reel may be made in any desired size, although it has. been found expedient to make the reel exactly one foot in circumference, so that by counting the number of rotations of the crank All, the relative level of the float 16 may be readily determined.

Obviously, in taking samples the sampler allows the float to rise to the desired extent either to the top of the liquid level as indicated at L, or any suitable intermediate point, and by drawing off a quantity of fluid equal to that accumulated during the rise of the float to the desired height, permits the obtaining of an exact and measured sample from that level. Obviously, the float 16 may be stopped at any desired intermediate level, and a sample taken therefrom, or the sample may comprise a composite taken from a plurality of levels.

From the foregoing it .-will now be seen that there is herein provided a sampling device particularly adaptable to hydrocarbon storage tanks, which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

It should be noted that in the event that the reel float and sampler of the instant invention is employed in connection with a floating top tank, a spring recoil reel is provided for the guide cables 13, in order to keep tension in the guide cables as the top lowers.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

1 claim:

1. A sampler for liquid containing tanks, comprising a float, a hollow flexible tube extending through said float and open at its top, a reel in said tank about which said tube is wound, a fixed pipe in said reel communicating with the end of said tube, an end on said pipe extending out of said tank, a tap on said end, and means for rotating said reel to raise and lower said float.

2. A sampler for liquid containing tanks, comprising a float, a hollow flexible tube extending through said float and open at its top, a reel in said tank about which said tube is wound, a fixed pipe in said reel communicating with the end of said tube, an end on said pipe extending out of said tank, a tap on said end, and means for r0- tating said reel to raise and lower said float,

said last-mentioned means comprising an axle connected to the hub of said reel, interiorly of said tank, a second axle aligned with said first axle and supported exteriorly of said tank, a handle for rotating said second axle and a magnetic coupling between said {first and second axles.

3. A sampler for liquid containing tanks, comprising a float, a hollow flexible tube extending through said float and open at its top, a reel in said tank about which said tube is wound, a fixed pipe in said reel communicating with the end of said tube, an end on said pipe extending out of said tank, a tap on said end, means for rotating said reel to raise and lower said float, said last-mentioned means comprising an; axle connected to the hub of said reel, interiorly of said tank, a second axle aligned with said first axle and supported exteriorly of said tank, a handle for rotating said second axle and a magnetic coupling between said first and second axles,

said reel being of a predetermined diamether whereby one rotation of said handle defines a predetermined extent of raising or lowering said float.

4. A sampler for liquid containing tanks, comprising a float, a hollow flexible tube extending through said float and open at its top, a reel in said tank about which said tube is Wound, a fixed pipe in said reel communicating with the end of said tube, an end on said pipe extending out of said tank, a tap on said end, means for rotating said reel to raise and lower said float, said last-mentioned means comprising an axle connected to the hub of said reel, interiorly of said tank, a second axle aligned with said first axle and supported exteriorly of said tank, a handle for rotating said second axle and a magnetic coupling between said first and second axles, said reel being of a predetermined diameter whereby one rotation of said handle defines a predetermined extent of raising or lowering said float, 1

guide cables for said float extending the full height of said tank in spaced parallel relation, and an eye on each side of said float surrounding a guide cable.

5. A sampler for liquid containing tanks, comprising a float, a hollow flexible tube extending through said float and open at its top, a reel in said tank about which said tube is wound, a fixed pipe in said reel communicating with the end of said tube, an end on said pipe extending out of said tank, a tap on said end, means for rotating said reel to raise and lower said float, said last-mentioned means comprising an axle connected to the hub of said reel, interiorly of said tank, a second axle aligned with said first axle and supported exteriorly of said tank, a handle for rotating said second axle and a magnetic coupling between said first and second axles, said reel being of a predetermined diameter whereby one rotation of said handle defines a predetermined extent of raising or lowerin" said float, guide cables. for said float extending the full height of said tank in spaced parallel relation, and an eye on each side of said float surrounding a. guide cable,

the interior components of said sampler all being formed of or coated with a high quality hydrocarbonresistant material.

6. A sampler for liquid containing tanks, comprising a float, a hollow flexible tube extending through said float and open at itstop, a reel in said tank about which said tube is wound, a fixed pipe in said reel communicating with the end of said tube, an end on said pipe extending out of said tank, a tap on said end, means for rotating said reel to raise and lower said float, said last-mentioned means comprising an axle connected to the hub of said reel, interiorly of said tank, a second axle aligned with said first axle and supported exteriorly of said tank, a handle for rotating said second axle and a magnetic coupling between said first and second axles, said reel being of a predetermined diameter whereby one rotation of said handle defines a predetermined extent of raising or lowering said float, guide cables for said float extending the full height of said tank in spaced parallel relation, and an eye on each side of said float surrounding a guide cable, the interior components of said sampler all being formed of or coated with a high quality hydrocarbon resistant material,

said material comprising Teflon.

Martindale June 9, 1896 Cantacuzene Sept. 18, 1934 

1. A SAMPLER FOR LIQUID CONTAINING TANKS, COMPRISING A FLOAT, A HOLLOW FLEXIBLE TUBE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID FLOAT AND OPEN AT ITS TOP, A REEL IN SAID TANK ABOUT WHICH SAID TUBE IS WOUND, A FIXED PIPE IN SAID REEL COMMUNICATING WITH THE END OF SAID TUBE, AN END ON SAID PIPE EX- 